Pursuing higher education while continuing to work is one of the options offered through Universitas Terbuka’s open and distance education system. This opportunity was among the topics discussed in plans for collaboration between UT Medan and the Government of Kota Pematangsiantar during an audience meeting on September 16, 2026.
The meeting, held at the Government of Kota Pematangsiantar Office, marked an initial step toward strengthening synergy in education while improving the quality of human resources. Director of UT Medan, Yasir Riady, S.S., M.Hum., accompanied by the Legal and Cooperation Division of UT Medan, was received by the Assistant to the Government of Kota Pematangsiantar and officials.
During the meeting, UT Medan expressed its commitment to supporting the educational needs of Civil Servants (ASN) as well as the community in Kota Pematangsiantar. Through its open and distance education system, UT provides opportunities for people to continue their education without having to leave their jobs or other responsibilities.
“Universitas Terbuka is here to provide flexible and affordable access to education. With a distance learning system, people can continue their education to a higher level without having to leave their jobs and other activities,” Yasir said.
For UT Medan, this potential collaboration could serve as a strategic step toward expanding access to education for the sons and daughters of the region. Beyond that, the synergy being established is expected to contribute to improving the competence and quality of human resources, both within the government and the wider community.
The Government of Kota Pematangsiantar welcomed the planned collaboration. During the meeting, the government also conveyed several needs and programs currently receiving attention, including the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kota Pematangsiantar.
At the same time, the Government of Kota Pematangsiantar continues to promote easier access to education for local residents. Therefore, the discussion did not stop at educational access alone but also opened opportunities to develop human resource competencies according to the needs of various sectors.
The next steps are also being prepared. The Government of Kota Pematangsiantar proposed a follow-up meeting to discuss the preparation of a Cooperation Agreement (Perjanjian Kerja Sama – PKS) with several relevant Regional Government Organizations (Organisasi Perangkat Daerah – OPD). These include the Education Office, the Personnel and Human Resources Development Agency (Badan Kepegawaian dan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Manusia – BKPSDM), and the office of Community and Village Empowerment (Dinas Pemberdayaan Masyarakat dan Desa – DPMD).
The plan is expected to serve as a concrete follow-up to the synergy currently being established. Through more specific cooperation with OPDs, education and competency development programs can be designed based on the needs of the local government and community.
This collaboration also strengthens UT Medan’s efforts to expand the reach of flexible, inclusive higher education services that can be accessed by communities in various regions. The distance learning system allows education to go hand in hand with work and daily activities.
The spirit of expanding opportunities to access education is in line with SDG 4 on Quality Education, particularly in promoting broader and more inclusive access to education.
The audience meeting marked an initial step toward more concrete cooperation between UT Medan and the Government of Kota Pematangsiantar. If the plan proceeds through cooperation with relevant OPDs, opportunities for education and competency development are expected to reach more people. For those who are already working or have various daily responsibilities, the opportunity to continue their education should not always mean having to leave the activities they are already engaged in.
